Our Top Picks for January 31 – February 1 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

Not only does this weekend carry us into the first day of a new month, it’s also Super Bowl Sunday! A few of the happenings around town this weekend are a Travel Expo, Gumbo Contest and Silent Auction Fundraiser and Kids Free Weekend at the Gulfarium! Be sure to check weather.com or tune in to the Weather Channel for the latest updates on local weather conditions.

The crew wishes everyone a beachy weekend filled with lots of football fun! Go team!

Saturday, January 31, 2015:

Inaugural Travel Expo

Saint Mary Parish Life Center

165 SW Coral Avenue

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Gumbo Contest and Silent Auction Fundraiser

Destin History & Fishing Museum

108 Stahlman Avenue

Destin

Time: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

What better way to spend your Saturday afternoon than tasting delicious gumbo and bidding on spectacular auction items?

The Destin History & Fishing Museum announces its Annual Gumbo Contest and Silent Auction Fundraiser. The event will take place Saturday, January 31, at the Destin Community Center from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Area restaurants and individuals compete for the title of the best gumbo in the panhandle! The event will include live music by a local band and a silent auction of 60-plus items, including artwork, vacation stays, jewelry, restaurant gift certificates, boating and fishing trips, services, golf, recreational activities, gift baskets and much more.

Come sample all of the area’s finest gumbo and cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award. Advanced tickets are available now at the museum for $10 per adult. Admission will be $12 at the door the day of the event.

For more information concerning entering your gumbo in the contest, donating an item for the silent auction or coming to enjoy the event, please contact the museum at 850.837.6611 or e-mail kathydestinhistory@gmail.com.

Kids FREE Weekend at Gulfarium

Jan. 31 – Feb. 1

Gulfarium

1010 Miracle Strip Parkway SE

Fort Walton Beach

Kids 12 and under get FREE park admission on Jan 31 and Feb 1 (limit two free kids’ passes per adult). In addition to shows and exhibits, special activities include fishy crafts and access to our custom aquarium bounce house. Gulfarium.com

Sunday, February 1, 2015:

Winter Guest Concert Series

Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Time: 2-4 p.m.

Shake off the chills of winter with free, live music on HarborWalk Village’s main stage! All winter guests and locals are invited to enjoy an inspirational concert!

Some Sunday Brunch spots in and around Destin:

Crab Island Cantina, Destin Harbor crabislandcantina.com

Harry T’s, Destin Harbor harryts.com

Angler’s Beachside Grill, Okaloosa Island Boardwalk anglersgrill.com

McGuire’s Irish Pub, Destin mcguiresirishpub.com

Our Top Picks for January 23-25 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

Even though the countdown to spring is underway, there are still a lot of events to be enjoyed this winter! From a local, running event to a winter concert series, the options this weekend are both exciting and varied. Be sure to check weather.com or tune in to the Weather Channel for the latest updates on local weather conditions.

 The   crew wishes everyone a beachy weekend! Enjoy!

Friday, January 23, 2015:

Lagunitas Craft Beer Dinner

Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

The Nifty 50s… Gonna Rock Around the Clock

Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa

4000 Sandestin Boulevard S.

Destin

United Way of Okaloosa and Walton Counties’ “NIFTY 50s” will be “Rocking Around the Clock” and taking over the dinner, dance and silent auction of 2015 at the event’s new venue, the Hilton Sandestin’s Emerald Ballroom, on January 23, beginning at 6:30 p.m. This year’s Celebrity Dancers, partnered with a Fred Astaire professional, are Crystal Boyles of Emerald Coast Aviation, Andi Mahoney of White-Wilson Medical Center and Ashley Vogt of Knoll Inc. This fundraiser benefits the United Way and its 42 local partner agencies. For more information, please call Ronda Davenport at 850.243.0315 or visit United-Way.org.

Saturday, January 24, 2015:

Destin’s 5^th Bayou, Bay & Back 1-Mile Kids’ Fun Run, 5K Run/Walk, 10K & Half Marathon Sponsored by Shoreline Church

Clement Taylor Park

131 Calhoun Avenue in Destin

Destin’s 5^th Bayou, Bay & Back is, of course, set alongside breathtaking, Destin waterways All are welcome to attend this event. However, the only requirement is that participants keep pace to meet the three-hour time limit.

Race/Award Ceremony Times

7:30 a.m. - Half Marathon begins

8:30 a.m. - 5K/10K begins

10:30 a.m. - 1-Mile Fun Run begins

10:45 a.m. - Award Ceremony begins

Registration

The 1-Mile Kids’ Fun Run is $20 and is open to children ages 12 and under. The 5K and 10K are $30 through Jan. 23 and $35 on race day. The half marathon is $60 through Jan. 23 and $70 on race day. Registration is available online until January 21 at midnight. T-shirts are guaranteed for the first 500 registrants. To register online, click here. Active.com

Registration will also be available at Clement Taylor Park from 6-8 a.m. for the 5K, 10K & Half Marathon, and until 10 a.m. for the 1-Mile Kids’ Fun Run. NEXT YEAR the event will add a full marathon, so be sure to come back out January 23, 2016, to join the fun!

Winter Heritage Craft Classes at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida

Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida

115 Westview Avenue

Valparaiso

Learn a new skill, experience an age-old tradition and create something uniquely yours at Heritage Alive! Craft Classes.

Seat Weaving Workshop

Thursdays, January 8 – February 5

1-3 p.m.

Knitting

January 24

9 a.m. – noon

Photos courtesy of Heritage-Museum.org.

Pine Needle Basketry

Two-part class on Tuesdays, February 3 and 10

5-8 p.m.

Basket Weaving

March 21

9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

For further details, visit DestinChamber.com.

Sunday, January 25, 2015:

Okaloosa Arts Alliance Wine & Food Tasting Fundraiser

La Famiglia at HarborWalk Village

2 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Winter Guest Concert Series

Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Shake off the chills of winter with free, live music on HarborWalk Village’s main stage. All winter guests and locals are invited to enjoy an inspirational and upbeat concert!

Some Sunday Brunch spots in and around Destin:

Crab Island Cantina, Destin Harbor crabislandcantina.com

Harry T’s, Destin Harbor harryts.com

Angler’s Beachside Grill, Okaloosa Island Boardwalk anglersgrill.com

McGuire’s Irish Pub, Destin mcguiresirishpub.com

Our Top Picks for January 8-11 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

HAPPY NEW YEAR! To kick off the second weekend of the year following the holidays, the local area is hosting events ranging from a story hour to a concert series. Be sure to check weather.com or tune in to the Weather Channel for the latest updates on local weather conditions. Stay warm!

The Life’s A Beach crew wishes everyone a beachy weekend! Enjoy!

Thursday, January 8:

Story Hour at Starbucks at HarborWalk Village

HarborWalk Village Starbucks

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Time: 3:30 p.m.

The first week after the long holiday break is likely the most challenging to muster up the energy to get out and do something outside of work or home. With that said, why not attend a laidback event that both you and the kids can enjoy? Every Thursday, Starbucks at HarborWalk Village will host "StoryHour @ Starbucks." There will be hot chocolate available for the kids and all parents receive 20 percent off their purchase!

Friday, January 9:

Free, Lunchtime History Lecture: 100 Years Young – Okaloosa County, Florida

Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida

115 Westview Avenue

Valparaiso

Time: noon – 1 p.m.

January kicks off a yearlong celebration of Okaloosa County history at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida, as we celebrate its Centennial in 2015. Join us for a special presentation, “100 Years Young – Okaloosa County, Florida” by historian Hank Klein, during History Sandwiched-In, a free lunchtime lecture. Klein will explain the evolution of territories and state, and how Okaloosa became a county in 1915. Bring a sandwich and take your lunch break at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida for History Sandwiched-In, an informal lunchtime education program. This lecture is free and open to the public. However, space is limited. Please call 850.678.2615 to reserve a seat.

Saturday, January 10:

Branson Show Camp, Featuring Barbara Fairchild & Roy Morris

Fort Walton Beach Civic Auditorium

107 Miracle Strip Parkway

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 7 p.m.

Saturday-Sunday

Dollar Days at DeFrance Indoor Flea Market

230 Eglin Parkway SE

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 10 a.m.

Each and every booth in our 13,000-square-foot store will have a limited quantity of items for only $1. Dollar Days is a two-day event with more items added on the second day. We will also have outside vendors with a wide variety of merchandise on Saturday, January 10, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Anything from furniture to handmade baskets and many other items. Visit DeFranceAntiques.com for more information.

Sunday, January 11:

Winter Guest Concert Series

Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Time: 2-4 p.m.

Shake off the chills of winter with free, live music on HarborWalk Village’s main stage! All winter guests and locals are invited to enjoy an inspirational concert!